Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Went to Sandford. Paid some farewell calls and brought away my surplice etc.

Instituted to the Vicarage of Sibford at Registrar’s Office by Dr John Fielder Mackarness, Bishop of Oxford.

Went to Sibford. Hired horse and dog-cart from Chester, where I put up at Vicarage Stable. Pay 6/- on each occasion for horse and trap.

Read my self in at Sibford and celebrated Holy Communion. Drove back to Banbury in evening and reached home at about 8. I slept at School house where Mrs Elley got me tea etc etc and made me very comfortable.

Mr Fraser returned in time for breakfast. I voted for two Conservatives at the Oxford Election for Town Councillors.

de Teissier out late this evening, with permission, to visit a friend from London. Called on Mr and Mrs Wilson this evening.

Went to Sibford. Took Rosa. Churchwardens met me by appointment at the School house. Mr Bruton, Diocesan Surveyor came whilst I was there. Went over Glebe etc with Mr Hitchcox, Vicar’s Warden, and Mr Herbert, Glebe-tenant. Called on Mr Mawle, Misses Dix, Mr Fox, Mr Turner and other parishioners. Mr Woolgrove paid me £3.3 collected in Church for the Radcliffe Infirmary.

Paid above £3.3 to Radcliffe Infirmary.

Went to Sibford. Received from Ecclesiastical Commissioners £13.7.9 and from Mr Hitchcox (balance of sequestration) £17.5.6. Fraser went home till Monday. I had to wait two hours in Banbury for horse and dog-cart.

Called on Hughes at Jesus, after my return from Oxford, but he was not in.

Received first proof of “Hecuba” from Butler and Tanner.

Received and returned to Spottiswoode and Co proof for New Edition of U.K.S. Boys’ Standard V.

Mr Mack, from Ceylon, a pupil of Cull’s called yesterday. Sent proof of Hecuba to Hughes. Cheque to Davenport, Registrar and Secretary to Bishop for Institution fees including the very modest sum of a guinea for Stationery! £6.0.6.

Mr Hill called. I walked with him to Iffley corner.

Bell and I called to see Miss Heath who is ill. Received GLB account from Longmans. The dividend this year is small. But the stock in hand is 126,488 as against 53,300 last account.

Mr Fraser went to London. Returned this evening. Braddell and de Teissier had leave to go up the river for the day. Went to Sibford. Met Mr Bourchier at the Railway Station.

A very dark drive back from Sibford to Banbury. Hughes came to supper. We talked over the proof of Hecuba.

Rev Abraham Spencer, Curate of Steeple Aston, called.

Frank Coghlan, of Balliol, called this afternoon. Bell, Rosa and I went to Misses Hooper’s this evening.

Heavy rain this afternoon. Called on Hughes this evening.

To Sibford. Paid old John Harris for work in garden at Vicarage during vacancy, £4.14.5. Received rent of cottage from him £1.11.1 and for potatoes which he had sold 5/1.